Conti DWS equivalent in 14" / 15"?

Can anybody recommend a really good all season tire in 14" or 15"? I am in love with the DWSs on my wife's car, but they are nut available under 16".

I would love to put a set of them on DD#2's beater Celica, but I am not too interested in investing as much as I paid for the car in a new set of 16" wheels and tires for it. I've had no luck turning up value-priced 16" wheels on the used market.

The Celica has the world's dinkiest 14s on it now. If I could step up to a 15x7 or so with a really good all-season, it should be substantially less expensive than going the full 16 route.

And yes, I understand that some people feel there aren't any good "no-season" tires. I don't agree with that sentiment.

These come in a 205/50R15..

Thanks! Are they good in rain and snow?

How do they compare to the Bridgestone RE960AS?

Duke wrote: Can anybody recommend a *really* good all season tire in 14" or 15"? I am in love with the DWSs on my wife's car, but they are nut available under 16". I would love to put a set of them on DD#2's beater Celica, but I am not too interested in investing as much as I paid for the car in a new set of 16" wheels and tires for it. I've had no luck turning up value-priced 16" wheels on the used market. The Celica has the world's dinkiest 14s on it now. If I could step up to a 15x7 or so with a really good all-season, it should be substantially less expensive than going the full 16 route. And yes, I understand that some people feel there aren't any good "no-season" tires. I don't agree with that sentiment.

Nothing to recommend unfortunately, but another hearty vote for the Conti DWS. I had them on my BMW 330 and loved them! What a great tire.

The new Kumho Ecsta PA31's that I just put on my Jetta are very comparable to the DWS I have on my Subaru; maybe not as flawless, but a damn sight cheaper at least. I was very surprised at how good they were in the snow.

There's always the Nokian WR, arguably the best all-season ever made EVER, but they are ridiculously expensive.

Thanks, Slick. If I was looking to spend a bunch of money, I'd just go the 16s/DWS route. I'll look into the PA31s.

I loooooved the RE960AS's on my Integra, i believe they were a 195/60/14, cant really recall. Grippy, smooth, quiet, and excellent in the wet. I dont think i ever had them in the snow, but looking at the design, i'd imagine they'd do pretty well.

Duke wrote: Thanks! Are they good in rain and snow? How do they compare to the Bridgestone RE960AS?

Personal experience, the DWS isn't good in the snow. My DWSes have worn out both their inside and outside edges, but the middles still have the "S" showing. The winter tires on the same vehicle are wearing evenly. IDK, more pressure I guess.

I found another option: 195/55R15 Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ--good snow traction, very good hydroplaning, very good ice braking, excellent tread life according to Consumer Reports, YMMV.

Final answer: Hankook i*cept evos as a budget alternative to the Nokian WRs.

when miata daisies, bmw bottlecaps, vw snowflakes and teardrops run $125-150 for a set of 4 why compromise on a set of "jack of all trades master of none" all seasons. I'd get a second (or even 3rd) set of wheels have weekend/auto-x track day rubber, daily rubber (cheapest thing that kumho/falken/hankook/general/uniroyal has in the size that will move water out from the center and last 40k+) and snow season rubber.

captdownshift wrote: when miata daisies, bmw bottlecaps, vw snowflakes and teardrops run $125-150 for a set of 4 why compromise on a set of "jack of all trades master of none" all seasons. I'd get a second (or even 3rd) set of wheels have weekend/auto-x track day rubber, daily rubber (cheapest thing that kumho/falken/hankook/general/uniroyal has in the size that will move water out from the center and last 40k+) and snow season rubber.

This is the most logical answer.

In reply to wrongwheeldrive:

The problem I had is that you literally cannot buy 185/55-15 or 195/50-15 snow tires. As the market for smaller wheels shrinks, you are basically left with the choice of race tires or all-seasons...unless you feel like paying $200+ for a single 15" Nokian, which is simply ridiculous.

if you go narrower and taller snows become available

wrongwheeldrive wrote:

captdownshift wrote: when miata daisies, bmw bottlecaps, vw snowflakes and teardrops run $125-150 for a set of 4 why compromise on a set of "jack of all trades master of none" all seasons. I'd get a second (or even 3rd) set of wheels have weekend/auto-x track day rubber, daily rubber (cheapest thing that kumho/falken/hankook/general/uniroyal has in the size that will move water out from the center and last 40k+) and snow season rubber.

This is the most logical answer.

Yes, logged and noted, thank you, please read the OP.